Nettleton quotes John Newton on the contrast between godly zeal and zeal born of spiritual pride:
True and False Zeal.
Zeal is that pure and heavenly flame
The fire of love supplies;
While that which often bears the name,
Is self in a disguise.True zeal is merciful and mild,
Can pity and forbear;
The false is headstrong fierce, and wild,
And breathes revenge and war.While zeal for truth the Christian warms,
He knows the worth of peace;
But self contends for names and forms,
Its party to increase.Zeal has attained its highest aim,
Its end is satisfied,
If sinners love the Saviour's name,
Nor seeks it aught beside.But self, however well employed,
Has its own ends in view;
And says, as boasting Jehu cried:
“Come, see what I can do!”Dear Lord, the idol self dethrone,
And from our hearts remove;
And let no zeal by us be shewn,
But that which springs from love.—Bennet Tyler, The Life and Labours of Asahel Nettleton (Banner of Truth, 1975), 374.
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